i spent the weekend with my grandma JO. she told me so many things i had never known before that i just don't want to forget. here are just a few:
*my Grandpa Lou was a funny guy. i never knew that. my grandpa died when i was in the 5th grade and he was sick my entire life. he actually forgot who i was on occassion. one time, my grandparents were babysitting us kids and my brother b.j. lost me. he frantically ran up to my grandpa and said "Grandpa! where is Dani Bree!? I can't find her!" my grandpa responded "who the hell is Dani Bree?" haha (sorry Mom) but seriously, how funny is that. anyway, i had never known where my dad got his skill of story telling and now i know.
*i have ancestors that were in the Willie handcart company. Sarah Ann Oakey was 4 years old when she crossed the plains (my 3 greats grandmother). Her sister, Rhoda Rebecca Oakey was the last person to die on that trail. She was 10 years old and was piled in a grave with several other children. Recently, she was depicted by an artist who has started painting people of the Willie handcart company. the painting gives me that fiery burn inside.
(her grave in the slc cemetery, also makes my heart swell)
*Life gives you circumstances and you do the best with what you got. As i would talk to my grandmother about hard situations of her life (ex: her husband being diagnosed with liver disease and having 10 more years to live) i would ask her how she handled news like that. she consistently would say "well, i didn't think about it much. that is how it was and i just did the best i could." not everything about handling things in this way is perfect, but it sure eliminates complaining...and that is one thing i learned. my grandma JO does not complain. what a slap in the face to me. i complain about the dumbest things possible while my grandmother is 88 years old, has lived alone for 11 years (which has to be lonely at times) and never complains. incredible i tell ya. she has motivated me to cut down on my "wo is me" comments (which just so happened to be in large quantities this past week) and get a grip. sometimes a slap in the face is good.
Grandma- you are an example of strength and courage to me. i am so glad i got learn more about you and the family. until next time :)
Hello, I totally just stumbled on to your blog. I went to the movie 17 miracles last night and was searching for other stories about the Willie Handcart company. I too am related to the Oakeys. My Grandmother is Marylinn Oakey Neubert. I wonder if my Grandmother and your Grandma Jo know each other. Perhaps they are cousins or something.
ReplyDeleteAnyhow, I thought I would write you a quick note and let you know about an upcoming production at the conference center in SLC. I have know clue who you are or where you live but if you're in SLC in August, you should totally check it out. Maybe Grandma Jo would like to go as well :)
Take care,
James
http://lds.org/church/events/print/british-saints-to-perform-faith-the-musical-at-conference-center?lang=eng
James,
ReplyDeleteI am sorry it has taken me this long to get back to you! I have been trying to get a hold of my grandmother to ask her about your grandmother. Being the genealogy guru that she is I am sure she would know of the connection. Unfortunately she has been traveling and staying with different family members and of course isn't used to the whole cell phone thing ha and I haven't been able to talk to her.
I did want to thank you however for taking the time to let me know about the upcoming play! We are thrilled and will definitely be there. My family is from CA but we are here in Lehi, everyone is coming up for it.
A side note: for the past couple of years my parents have had Kenneth Packer making a sculpture for them of the Oakey family (Thomas and Ann and their children). Supposedly it is going to be displayed at the play. So if you see it you know that's ours! It is beautiful and I think very touching. How blessed we are to have wonderful ancestors. Anyway, thanks for stopping by!